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UK based writer and political commentator Yamin Zakaria has written a new book entitled Suicide Bombings - Jihad or Terrorism?

Below is an excerpt from Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Popular Myths of Suicide (Human) Bombers

In the West, even the most depraved serial killers are scientifically studied in great depth, yet the suicide bombers from the Muslim world are instantly dismissed as mindless killers. Suddenly the scientific West becomes very unscientific in its approach to the issue. Eventually, the critics have to answer the question: why do they do it? What possible factors can propel someone to sacrifice his or her life, overruling the basic human instinct of survival? Is it an act of vengeance for the loss of their home, land, and family members? Perhaps, they are vulnerable people; thus, easily brainwashed by radical preachers to commit such acts.

Alternatively, they are the product of a desperate situation created by occupation, and subjected to daily humiliation. Maybe they are inspired by the spiritual idea of receiving immense reward in the afterlife. Perhaps a combination of factors produces suicide bombers. Regardless, the motive of the suicide bomber is distorted by the propaganda machine of war. For that reason, various myths have been manufactured and popularised, the most prominent ones are examined here.

a)      Inspired by Islam

Devout Muslims will naturally seek inspiration from Islam. The inspiration is only sought, if the prevalent condition provides the impetus for it. Otherwise, the assertion is that Islam permits the followers to use suicide bombing regardless of the circumstances. If that were the case, suicide operations would have been widespread in all parts of the Islamic world throughout history. In reality, it is predominantly found in places under foreign occupation, and in conflict zones.

Many of the suicide bombers in the past were not deeply religious, and came from ordinary families. Some of them were subscribers to the secular ideology of Arab Socialism. The Syrian Socialist PartyLebanon in the 1980s. It is a fact, that various nations have used suicide bombings, from the Japanese Kamikaze pilots to the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is not the reserve of any specific religion, race, or nation. The claim that suicide bombers are exclusively inspired by Islam is simply a myth, manufactured by the hostile media. was one of the first groups to carryout suicide attacks, against the Israeli occupiers in

b)      Promises of Virgins (‘Houris’)

This is a popular spin peddled by the mass media, especially by those elements suffering from Islamophobia. They imply the central motive of the suicide bomber is the lustful desire for the promised virgins in heaven. If a man wants to satisfy his carnal desires, he is more likely to engage in self-indulgence, rather than self-destruction. For a devout Muslim, this means getting married, rather than getting himself fitted with an explosive belt.

There is no shortage of virgins in the Islamic world, where it is seen as a virtue, and not a source of shame! The Muslim youths do not need to become martyrs to find virgins. They would counter argue, by pointing out the scarcity of virgins in liberal West; thus, allegation regarding Houris is in reality driven by envy.

Furthermore, translation of the word Houris is not the virgin women on earth, pleasures of heaven are described in the worldly language, nobody knows how literal or metaphorical these are. These are promised to all who enter paradise, and martyrdom is not the only route to acquire these pleasures. The media projection of such acts in sexual terms shows their sexually obsessed mindset, everything has to be analysed for its sexual utility. Therefore, in describing Islam, they have transformed the Harems into brothels, Houris into lustful virgins. They see the four wives only in terms of sexual pleasures, ignoring the huge legal, social, and economic responsibilities that come with it.

c)      Brainwashed by the Imams or the Media

Most Imams are apolitical; they do not even refer to local matters, let alone international affairs. Nevertheless, some imams and scholars do give legal, political, and moral justification for suicide bombing, but that is only because the situation exists in the first place. Moreover, this does not equate to incitement to carry out such acts. They are simply expressing their opinion on the matter, and far from engaging in the process of brainwashing the youths to undertake suicide missions.

It is difficult for anyone to lecture others to engage in suicide operations, as it is reasonable to suppose that the candidate must ask himself why this person is not leading by example. The sacrificing of life has such a complete finality, it will always be an individual’s decision, and therefore, it can only be conducted by those who volunteer willingly.

What impact the images from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine have on individuals, nobody can accurately predict. Every individual has their own tolerance threshold; once this is crossed, it can drive people to retaliate with suicide bombing. Asif Hanif, the Tel Aviv bomber from the UK, was not known to be involved with any radical group, and had no radical Imam lecturing him. Perhaps, the images from the theatre of conflict that pushed him over the edge. This is corroborated by the video that he left behind to broadcast.

(www.radicalviews.org, http://yaminzakaria.blogspot.com). His articles have appeared in numerous websites, and newspapers, particularly in the Islamic World. He has been involved with the Islamic movements from his University days. In the early years he was active with several Islamic movements prior to joining Hizb-ut-Tahrir (Liberation Party) in the late 80s. He was an active member with the movement until 2002. Since that time, the author has become an independent commentator, regarded as a controversial author by many for expressing his views so candidly.

Those who are interested in purchasing the book can do so online by clicking here.